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Brexit deal: Juncker claims EU won't back extension while defending deal – live news Brexit: Johnson's deal's 'far worse' than May's, says Labour - live news
(32 minutes later)
Here is one take on how the voting could go on Saturday, under various scenarios.
This @ciceroglobal chart helpfulDUP rebel but ERG + Lab MPs who backed May + indy Cons support: Johnson loses -5DUP+ERG reject but Lab MPs who backed May+indy Cons: Johnson loses -55DUP rebel, ERG support+Leave Lab MPs+Lab MPs 4 deal + indy Cons = Johnson wins +29 pic.twitter.com/RJxsV7978R
From AFP’s Dave Clark
In case there's anyone still arguing what Juncker said or meant or has authority to say or whatever, a EUCO source who was in the room said the leaders' "draft is silent about a extension, it's too soon. If it's voted down on Saturday we're in a different situation."
Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, devotes most of his campaigning energy at the moment to complaining that Brexit has not yet been delivered.
But now that Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European commission, is saying the EU would not allow a further Brexit deal, Farage is complaining that Juncker is overriding the Benn Act, which requires the PM to ask for an extension if his deal does not get approved.
So an unelected, retiring bureaucrat says: No extension, take this new treaty or just leave. He is overriding the Benn Act. The EU shows itself to be a thuggocracy - power without accountability. Appalling people.
EU ministers are starting to query Jean-Claude Juncker’s claim that the EU would not allow a further Brexit extension. (See 2.37pm.)
This is from the BBC’s Nick Eardley, quoting the Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen.
Danish PM: “Denmark is ready accept another Brexit delay if the new Brexit deal does not get trough the House of Commons" via @GavinLeeBBC
And this is from the BBC’s Faisal Islam, quoting Paschal Donohoe, the Irish finance minister.
NEW: Just spoken to Irish finance min @Paschald in DC - “agreement provides best environment within which to protect trade and protect GFA”... I ask about Juncker & extension - UK will decide whether or not it wants one then “it’s a matter for the European Council” (ie not JCJ) pic.twitter.com/iNY4x6nur1
And these are from Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, who has been studying the revised political declaration (see 12.17pm) in detail.
Excuse the long thread, but I have looked carefully at the #BrexitDeal negotiated by Boris Johnson. Here is my analysis: 1/
Labour’s concerns with Theresa May’s deal were not principally about the backstop. They were about the Political Declaration and our future relationship with the EU after Brexit. 2/
Having reviewed what has been agreed, it is clear that the Johnson deal is a far worse deal than Theresa May’s deal. It paves the way for a decade of deregulation. It gives Johnson licence to slash workers’ rights, environmental standards and consumer protections. 3/
Rather than strengthening the Political Declaration (PD) along the lines Labour argued, the political direction of travel under Johnson is to a distant economic relationship with the EU. It rules out a new Customs Union and a close future relationship with the Single Market. 4/
This inevitably means there will be new trade barriers with the EU and additional checks at borders. The PD is explicit about this. And the Johnson deal makes it easier for a Tory Government to cut rights and standards. 5/
On services, the PD offers nothing beyond the weak provisions in the Theresa May deal. Nor has there been any progress on the question of agencies and our future security relationship. 6/
The level playing field commitments are significantly weaker: no longer building on the measures in the old Withdrawal Agreement, which provided for dynamic alignment in certain areas. 7/
Instead, the level playing field provisions only last until the end of transition with a warning shot from the EU about the impact this will have on (reduced) access to EU markets. 8/
Labour will not support a flawed Brexit deal that harms jobs, rights and living standards. This deal will unquestionably do that. 9/
Labour cannot support this deal. If Boris Johnson has confidence in his deal, he should put it back to the people in a public vote against remain - and that is an argument we will be making on Saturday. 10/
These are from my colleague Rowena Mason.These are from my colleague Rowena Mason.
People’s Vote MPs pulling back from having any second ref vote on Saturday - say it’s now not the time, better to wait (they don’t have numbers among former Tory MPs)People’s Vote MPs pulling back from having any second ref vote on Saturday - say it’s now not the time, better to wait (they don’t have numbers among former Tory MPs)
They claim it’s not because the Labour leadership isn’t supportive of second ref amendment but.... Jeremy Corbyn didn’t totally sound keen on it earlierThey claim it’s not because the Labour leadership isn’t supportive of second ref amendment but.... Jeremy Corbyn didn’t totally sound keen on it earlier
Could a non core PV MP table a second ref amendment though, thinking that support is worth testing?Could a non core PV MP table a second ref amendment though, thinking that support is worth testing?
Politico Europe’s Jacopo Barigazzi has posted on Twitter a copy of a draft of the summit conclusions on Brexit. It does not say anything about whether the EU would or would not approve an extension if MPs were to vote down the deal. Instead it just invites the European commission, parliament and council “to take the necessary steps to ensure that the agreement can enter into force on 1 November 2019, so as to provide for an orderly withdrawal”.Politico Europe’s Jacopo Barigazzi has posted on Twitter a copy of a draft of the summit conclusions on Brexit. It does not say anything about whether the EU would or would not approve an extension if MPs were to vote down the deal. Instead it just invites the European commission, parliament and council “to take the necessary steps to ensure that the agreement can enter into force on 1 November 2019, so as to provide for an orderly withdrawal”.
Draft of #Euco Conclusions on Brexit that don’t talk about #Brexit #extension pic.twitter.com/cmFKROeKGoDraft of #Euco Conclusions on Brexit that don’t talk about #Brexit #extension pic.twitter.com/cmFKROeKGo
Here is the latest story from the summit from my colleagues Daniel Boffey, Jennifer Rankin and Heather Stewart, focusing on Jean-Claude Juncker’s comments.Here is the latest story from the summit from my colleagues Daniel Boffey, Jennifer Rankin and Heather Stewart, focusing on Jean-Claude Juncker’s comments.
Juncker seeks to sell Brexit deal by 'ruling out' further delayJuncker seeks to sell Brexit deal by 'ruling out' further delay
And this is how it starts.And this is how it starts.
Jean-Claude Juncker has tried to help sell the new Brexit deal in the face of opposition from the Democratic Unionist party by pouring doubt on a further Brexit extension in the event of it being rejected.Jean-Claude Juncker has tried to help sell the new Brexit deal in the face of opposition from the Democratic Unionist party by pouring doubt on a further Brexit extension in the event of it being rejected.
With Boris Johnson facing an uphill struggle to secure a majority in the Commons when it sits on Saturday, the European commission president piled pressure on MPs who fear a no-deal Brexit into giving their support.With Boris Johnson facing an uphill struggle to secure a majority in the Commons when it sits on Saturday, the European commission president piled pressure on MPs who fear a no-deal Brexit into giving their support.
Juncker said he was “ruling out” a prolongation, although the issue is solely the remit of the heads of state and government. “If we have a deal, we have a deal and there is no need for prolongation,” he added.Juncker said he was “ruling out” a prolongation, although the issue is solely the remit of the heads of state and government. “If we have a deal, we have a deal and there is no need for prolongation,” he added.
The claim was not repeated by any EU leaders. Donald Tusk, the European council president, confined himself to saying that “a deal is always better than a no deal”. Sources in Brussels suggested that previous comments from Juncker in which he had said the bloc would never choose a no-deal Brexit were a “better reflection” of the EU’s position.The claim was not repeated by any EU leaders. Donald Tusk, the European council president, confined himself to saying that “a deal is always better than a no deal”. Sources in Brussels suggested that previous comments from Juncker in which he had said the bloc would never choose a no-deal Brexit were a “better reflection” of the EU’s position.
Campaigning anti-Brexit QC Jolyon Maugham has now lodged his petition at the court of session in Edinburgh, which essentially tries to ban parliament from debating the new Brexit deal, on the basis that it is illegal, and which he anticipates will be heard tomorrow.Campaigning anti-Brexit QC Jolyon Maugham has now lodged his petition at the court of session in Edinburgh, which essentially tries to ban parliament from debating the new Brexit deal, on the basis that it is illegal, and which he anticipates will be heard tomorrow.
Maugham believes that the deal contravenes s55 of the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018, which states that it is “unlawful for Her Majesty’s government to enter into arrangements under which Northern Ireland forms part of a separate customs territory to Great Britain”.Maugham believes that the deal contravenes s55 of the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018, which states that it is “unlawful for Her Majesty’s government to enter into arrangements under which Northern Ireland forms part of a separate customs territory to Great Britain”.
With the detail of Boris Johnson’s new deal still emerging, lawyers insist that s55 is “crystal clear” and that any form of differentiated deal for Northern Ireland will contravene it.With the detail of Boris Johnson’s new deal still emerging, lawyers insist that s55 is “crystal clear” and that any form of differentiated deal for Northern Ireland will contravene it.
So buckle up for a weekend of constitutional hijinks in Edinburgh. Remember that if Johnson refuses to sign an extension letter to the EU (should he fail to get the deal through on Saturday AND provided the court doesn’t blow the whole debate out of the water) then Maugham will be back in court on Monday ... this time with his fellow petitioners, Joanna Cherry, Vince who are notably absent from today’s petition. So buckle up for a weekend of constitutional hijinks in Edinburgh. Remember that if Johnson refuses to sign an extension letter to the EU (should he fail to get the deal through on Saturday AND provided the court doesn’t blow the whole debate out of the water) then Maugham will be back in court on Monday ... this time with his fellow petitioners, Joanna Cherry, Dale Vince, who are notably absent from today’s petition.
Lord Carloway, Scotland’s most senior judge, has already cleared time for an emergency hearing in the court of session at noon on Monday 21 October, where he could issue court orders forcing Johnson to send a letter to the EU asking for an extension to article 50 until 31 January as per the Benn Act. Lord Carloway, Scotland’s most senior judge, has already cleared time for an emergency hearing in the court of session at noon on Monday 21 October, where he could issue court orders forcing Johnson to send a letter to the EU asking for an extension to article 50 until 31 January as per the Benn act.
This is from Sir Craig Oliver, David Cameron’s former communications chief.This is from Sir Craig Oliver, David Cameron’s former communications chief.
I suspect @BorisJohnson and his team think they have the numbers to pass the deal without the DUP - but even if they don’t, they get to run a populist election campaign, which should be enough. But it’s so volatile a change of just a few points could be disastrous.I suspect @BorisJohnson and his team think they have the numbers to pass the deal without the DUP - but even if they don’t, they get to run a populist election campaign, which should be enough. But it’s so volatile a change of just a few points could be disastrous.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, welcomed the Brexit deal as he arrived at the EU summit earlier, but stressed that it still had to get through the UK and EU parliaments. “Based on past experience we have to be reasonably cautious,” he said.The French president, Emmanuel Macron, welcomed the Brexit deal as he arrived at the EU summit earlier, but stressed that it still had to get through the UK and EU parliaments. “Based on past experience we have to be reasonably cautious,” he said.
From Reuters’ Luke Baker
As the EU summit got underway, Boris Johnson went around the table greeting each leader in turn. He laughed and joked with Merkel and Macron, and hugged Luxembourg's Xavier Bettel, who had made fun of Johnson for not attending a news conference. All's well that ends well? #Brexit
Here is Katya Adler, the BBC’s Europe editor, on Jean-Claude Juncker’s comments.
Jean Claude Juncker quoted all over UK media as saying - “there will be no extension” BUT this is said a) To help Boris Johnson sell a deal back home in the UK that the EU has no appetite to renegotiate once again .. /1
b) Mr Juncker would love the Brexit process to be done and dusted during his presidency which is drawing to a close -as part of his legacy (which has to an extent been blighted by the 2016 Brexit vote) BUT /2
Also Jean Claude Juncker does not have legal power to rule out extension. It’s a member state decision. It’s hard to imagine 27 EU countries categorically ruling out an extension while at this summit ... before they know if one might be necessary eg to get this deal passed /3
Saying “no extension is necessary” in order to keep up pressure on MPs, encouraging them to focus their minds ahead of vote in Parliament is one thing BUT but after 3 years of Brexit process and two attempts at an EU-UK Brexit deal... /4
I can’t imagine Angela Merkel for example turning round + saying “no extra time” even if deal is rejected in HoC, there’s a general election or a referendum on this deal, for example /5
A flat no to the idea of an extension at this stage could mean ushering in the no deal Brexit that EU leaders have been so so so keen to avoid. It’s not a move you’d expect from the EU! /6
Manufacturing Northern Ireland has given a “guarded welcome” the Brexit agreement saying it “removes the risk of a catastrophic no deal” but raises concerns about the administrative and financial burden on the new arrangements that will apply on some trade into Northern Ireland.
If it is approved, expect Northern Ireland business to be looking for substantial help on both points – the paperwork and costs – from London.
Stephen Kelly, Manufacturing NI’s chief executive, said:
What is good is that a deal is struck, we can move on to the more positive conversation about the future relationship and regardless Northern Ireland can continue to have tariff free, quota free access to both the UK and the EU’s single market.
More on the significance of Jean-Claude Juncker’s comments about the EU not agreeing to a further Brexit extension.
These are from Sky’s Lewis Goodall.
About to get on a plane back but just on Juncker’s words on extension. EU source says: “It’s not in his gift to rule it out, he is just defending the deal and saying one shouldn't be needed...I am 100% certain EU27 would permit an extension if deal falls on Saturday.”
Clearly that’s not to say this isn’t helpful for Number 10, it is. Shows Commission wants this done, no mean feat they’re working with Downing St given relations were previously so cold. But highly highly doubtful that if deal goes down it means no extension.
And this is from the BBC’s Norman Smith.
Folks point out that decision on Brexit extension not down to @JunckerEU but a EU council decision. True....but I think he knew exactly what he was saying and its a big help for Team Johnson.
This is what Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European commission, said about ruling out a Brexit extension. He was speaking to reporters on the “red carpet” where leaders speak to journalists as they arrive for the summit.
Asked if he thought the deal would pass parliament, he said: “It has to.”
Then he added:
Anyway, there will be no prolongation.
He went on:
We have concluded a deal. So there is not an argument for delay. It has to be done now.
Asked by another journalist if he would rule out an extension if Boris Johnson asked for that, Juncker replied:
I gave a brief doorstop with Boris Johnson ... half an hour ago and I was ruling out that there will be any kind of prolongation. If we have a deal, we have a deal, and there is no need for prolongation. That is not only the British view; that is my view too.
Asked again if he would officially rule out an extension, he replied:
Yes. We have a deal. So why should we have a prolongation?
But, as my colleague Jennifer Rankin points out, it is questionable whether, in practice, the EU27 would rule out another extension if the alternative were no deal.
Not surprising that Jean-Claude Juncker wants to quash talk of an extension. EU dearly wants Brexit over and done with.In reality, if UK asked for delay, under Benn Act, hard to see that the EU would say no.
Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission president, has said the EU will not grant another Brexit extension.
This is hugely significant, because, if the rest of the EU27 agree – and it is not clear yet whether he is speaking on their behalf – it means MPs will effectively be faced with a choice between this deal and no deal.
Sinn Fein has welcomed Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. In a statement its president, Mary Lou McDonald, said:
I welcome the fact that an agreement has been reached between the European Union and the British government.
There is no such thing as a good Brexit. Brexit is being foisted on the north of Ireland against the democratic wishes of the people.
As a party, Sinn Féin has worked to defend Irish interests from the worst impacts of Brexit.
It was Sinn Féin who first made the case for a ‘designated special status for the north within the EU’ and it was Sinn Féin who insisted on the protection of the Good Friday agreement and no hard border on the island of Ireland as bottom lines.
We have also insisted that no veto can be given to unionism.
But she also said any deal was a “least worst option” that would “only mitigate the worst effects of Brexit”.
Boris Johnson has just given a brief statement to the press at the EU summit alongside Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission president. Juncker said the deal was fair and balanced. He said:
This is a fair, a balanced agreement. It is testament to our commitment to finding solutions. It provides certainty where Brexit creates uncertainty.
And Johnson said this was a very good deal for both sides. He said:
I do think this deal represents a very good deal for the EU and the UK.
I think it is a reasonable, fair outcome and reflects the large amount of work undertaken by both sides ...
I agree very much with Jean-Claude about what he said about protecting the peace process on the island of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Of course, for us in the UK it means we can deliver a real Brexit that achieves our objectives.
It means the UK leaves whole and entire on 31 October and it means that Northern Ireland and every part of the UK can take part in not just free trade deals, offering our tariffs, exporting our goods around the world, but it also means we can take, together as a single United Kingdom, decisions about our future - our laws, our borders, our money and how we want to run the UK.
Those decisions will be taken in the UK by elected representatives of the people in the UK.